Waterford Coastguard helicopter rescues two from sea and mountains

The Waterford-based Coastguard Helicopter has brought two casualties to hospital today - one, a crew member from a fishing vessel off the south coast, the other a hillwalker in Co Tipperary.

The first incident this morning was in rough seas around 50 nautical miles south of Cork.

The French fishing vessel "Larche" requested a medical evacuation after a crew member began complaining of chest pains and breathing difficulties. The patient was winched on board the helicopter and brought to hospital in Cork.

Following that incident, the helicopter was tasked to Slievenamon in Tipperary when the South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association requested their assistance after a walker fell and sustained lower leg injuries.

The helicopter was on scene at midday and airlifted the patient to Waterford Airport. He was then transferred by road to Waterford Regional Hospital.

It is the second hillwalking accident in the region in the space of 24 hours. South Eastern Mountain Rescue evacuated a woman from the Galtee Mountains yesterday afternoon. She had been walking with a group when she also sustained lower leg injuries.